DCYF Practice Model
The DCYF Practice Model guides our policy and practice for working with children, youth, and their families.
The New Hampshire Division for Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) is committed to partnering with families and communities to provide the resources and supports needed for children to be safe. We do this through collaboration and the belief that all families have strengths. We anchor our work in DCYF’s Practice Model, which outlines specific core values and beliefs and drives our practices and policies:
- Prevention reduces abuse, neglect and delinquency, and promotes safety for children, youth, families and communities
- Everyone deserves to be safe
- All children and youth need and deserve permanency
- Everyone needs and deserves a life of well-being
- Everyone deserves to be treated with courtesy and respect
- All children, youth and families have strengths
- All children and youth belong with family.
DCYF is committed to incorporating the Practice Model values and beliefs into all aspects of our work. This includes our work with children and families, training, policy development, and workforce expectations.
In addition to our core values and beliefs, DCYF is committed to three practice areas most critical to positive outcomes for children:
Safety
- Children are, first and foremost, protected from abuse and neglect
- Children are safety maintained in their homes whenever possible and appropriate
Permanency
- Children have permanency and stability in their living arrangements
- The continuity of family relationships and connections are preserved for children
Well-Being
- Families have enhanced capacity to provide for their children’s needs
- Children receive appropriate services to meet their educational needs
- Children receive adequate services to meet their physical and mental health needs